Finding himself internally suspended between fantasy and reality, Máni Orrason’s new album was written at a point in life where new opportunities were on the horizon meaning that he needed to make significant decisions about which path to take next. Torn between believing his own hype and leaning into his more grounded existence, Orrason explains: “I feel like there are two kinds of people. People that love conflict, and to resolve – even if that means anger and feelings truly expressed – and people that are more afraid of risking problems than the conflict and resolution.” Realising his own internalisation, he shares: “That’s kind of my feeling like it’s an armour that protects you because it doesn’t blow up either way.” The latest single ‘Just Can’t Have It All‘ is a self-deprecating release that portrays Máni having a frank conversation with thyself, placing Orrason’s fears through pounding drums and strings for a grandiose flair and brilliantly sets the tone for the future album ‘The World is Big and You Will Never Find Me’, pencilled in for late a summer release.
When speaking of the album and single, Máni shares:
“So much of the album is me trying to hide in public or run away or something; the spectrum of genres and sound is so fast, somehow. It feels cohesive now, but while I was making it, it felt really insane. That was why it was tough to find a title for it, because it felt so vast.” For all of its bittersweet bliss, ‘Just Can’t Have It All’ encapsulates the anxiety of letting down your barriers while living in your comfort zone. – “Crying in the bathroom, I age but I don’t change…Some people wear their sadness like it’s armour.”
Orrason’s always-on-sleeve heart is guiding him towards closure and letting go, with a new perspective and sensitivity towards himself, and his work has finally freed him for a more invigorated future, as captured in the exhilarating emo single ‘Just Can’t Have It All.’
“With the storyline of the album, that’s kind of sad and confused and desperate and whatever, it’s still grand and confident despite all the shit I sing about. I wear this on my sleeve, and I mean it.”
‘Just Can’t Have It All’ is available on all digital platforms via Groenland Records.
